Iowa Workforce Development officials answered questions about the glitch.

Two IWD managers answered the committees questions all morning before the IWD director testified for the committee in the afternoon.

The agency said 85 people received at least $27,000 when officials used an old list to make payments to unemployed workers. Instead of suspending payments to everyone the agency let the payments go through to everyone one on the old list.

Iowa Workforce Development Director Teresa Wahlert said 85 was the number of people who came forward to report they received the extra payment.

Wahlert said she has no reason to believe the number is more than 85.

"I have no reason to believe it's more. I know it's that, I have that data point and what I'm telling you is the probability of more is the same probability as 85," said Wahlert.

McCoy said it's highly likely more people received money, but didn't report it to the state so we don't know exactly how many people received improper payments.

Wahlert said she is confident the number is 85.

Some IWD staff said they were told by managers to keep quiet about the extra payments. The email to employees states "DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE forward this e-mail to anyone or there will be repercussions."

Wahlert told the committee there was no effort to cover up the overpayment problem. To the management complaints, she said some people may be having a hard time with new policies.

What about trying to recover the money? Wahlert said financially it wouldn't be worth the effort.